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Raleigh County Schools: 14–15 schools under 60% utilization as enrollment declines
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Starcher reported that 14 schools (15 after certain adjustments) fell below 60% utilization; district enrollment fell from 12,372 (2010–11) to about 10,090, and projected staffing 'overages' could cost roughly $10–11 million beyond state aid.
Superintendent Dr. Starcher presented a building-utilization and personnel overview, describing how program capacity is calculated and how virtual and Head Start enrollments affect utilization percentages.
Using the district's comprehensive facilities planning data and ZMM architectural program-capacity numbers, staff calculate utilization by dividing enrollment by program capacity. Dr. Starcher said 14 schools fell below 60% utilization when measured straight across the district; after removing virtual and Head Start counts the number rose to 15.
"We actually went to 11 schools that fell below 60" in one prior period, Dr. Starcher said, noting historic context and fluctuations. He provided examples: Independence High School had 592 students on which a program capacity of 878 yields 67.43% utilization; Stratton Elementary appeared as 81.69% until Head Start assignments were separated, which reduced the adjusted utilization to 67.44%.
Dr. Starcher also reviewed long-term enrollment trends: the district's enrollment was 12,372 in 2010–11 and is approximately 10,090 in the current year. He said state funding formulas result in personnel being "over the formula" and estimated that the overages in staffing could cost the district about $10,000,000 beyond state aid, while estimated funding tied to HOPE scholarship students was discussed as well.
Board members asked clarifying questions about per-student funding and how virtual or dual-enrollment programs factor into utilization; staff said they would provide more detail once state numbers are finalized.
